QRPer.com is all about celebrating the joy, challenge, and adventure of low-power field radio. Whether you’re hiking a summit for SOTA, activating a park for POTA, or just setting up a quick portable station at a local park, this site is here to inspire, inform, and connect you with a global community of like-minded operators.
I started QRPer.com as a simple space to curate my favorite QRP resources, but it’s grown into a place where field radio enthusiasts — new and seasoned alike — share ideas, stories, and setups. My focus is on practical, real-world advice, especially for portable operations.
I love exploring how operators build lightweight, grab-and-go stations that balance performance and simplicity. I highlight innovative gear, field antennas, and portable rigs — many of which come from small, independent creators and clubs pushing the boundaries of QRP.
If you’re passionate about low-power field radio and building a station that fits in your pack (or pocket), you’re in the right place!
About Me
I’m Thomas Witherspoon — K4SWL / M0CYI / VY2SW — a lifelong radio enthusiast and dedicated QRPer. I got my first license in 1997 (KC8GLI) and later upgraded to General as KF4TZK. After learning CW, I switched to K4SWL to honor my other radio love: shortwave listening.
In 2000, after living in France and Germany, we moved to the UK, where I held the call sign M0CYI. I worked in IT for Corning, Inc., traveling extensively across Europe — though my busy schedule left little time for radio. In late 2002, I shifted gears, pursuing an MSc in Social Anthropology at the London School of Economics. Despite the packed academic workload, I managed to attend a few meetings with the Dorking Amateur Radio Club — an incredibly welcoming and friendly group.
When my wife and I later settled back in the Asheville, NC area, I dusted off my gear and quickly realized how much I had missed radio. Since then, I’ve been hooked all over again — and more radio-active than ever!
Why QRP?
Why QRP? For me, it’s about simplicity, portability, and the pure magic of making long-distance contacts with minimal gear. There’s something unbeatable about hiking to a scenic spot, tossing an antenna into a tree, and working stations across the globe on just a few watts.
My love for QRP also traces back to my early days as a member of the Southeast Ohio Radio Adventure Team (SEORATs–or, “Rats”)–a group of hams who share a passion for portable, low-power operations. There’s nothing I enjoy more than setting up in the great outdoors and jumping into a QRP contest. It adds a whole new dimension to the hobby and, as a bonus, builds skills that are invaluable in emergency situations.
Other interests and websites
Another important hobby to me is Shortwave Radio listening. I operate a popular radio blog called the SWLing Post. I’m also the owner and curator of the Shortwave Radio Audio Archive.
Important: Contacting me
I love hearing from fellow radio enthusiasts, but I’ll be honest — between family, work, and the website, I can’t always keep up with email.
If you’ve got a question about gear, antennas, operating, or anything radio-related, I highly recommend posting on QRPer.net. It’s a supportive, troll-free community where you’ll get answers faster than I can reply myself.
If you have a news tip, article idea, or something special to share, feel free to email me directly (my callsign @qrper.com). For general questions, though — seriously — the forum is your best bet!
Thanks for visiting QRPer.com and being part of this amazing international field radio community!
72,
Tom — K4SWL / M0CYI / VY2SW